Chapter 116 (Ninth Installment)

“Am I wrong to say this? An army of fifty thousand appears within our borders without anyone noticing. If you hadn’t deliberately let them pass, do you think they grew wings?” Li Changqi retorted sharply.

Feng Renduo and Bai Li found themselves unable to explain the situation. But they were certain they had not allowed the Song army through. Feng Renduo opened his mouth to argue but found himself at a loss for words.

“The young prince has been with the army all along. You should know very well whether we let them pass or not. Such accusations are best not thrown onto yourself,” Feng Renduo Baozhong interjected at this moment.

Experience trumped youthful arrogance. Feng Renduo Baozhong’s words completely silenced Li Changqi. Indeed, as Baozhong said, Li Changqi was the vanguard of the army; if responsibility were pursued, as a commanding officer, he too would face punishment.

Now, they were all in the same boat.

Hearing Baozhong’s words, Li Changqi snorted in anger. “I have long said that if we do not annihilate the Song forces at Huangtiandang, once we return to the city, I will surely hold you all accountable. I stand by my words.”

With that, he swept his sleeve and left. He had long been displeased with the two men, and now that he finally had an opportunity, he would not let it pass.

Feng Renduo Baozhong returned to the capital.

When Wu Jie received the news, disbelief clouded his face.

“Is the intelligence accurate? Has the Western Xia army truly withdrawn?” Wu Jie asked again, having someone verify.

After a while, a scout returned. The Western Xia troops had already retreated more than ten miles.

Still uneasy, Wu Jie sent out another scout. This time, the report came back that the Western Xia forces had withdrawn over thirty miles.

This was not a mere retreat but a forced march withdrawal.

Wu Jie was a renowned general of the Song dynasty, and he quickly deduced that something must be amiss within Western Xia. Otherwise, Feng Renduo Baozhong would not have left in such haste.

Wu Jie immediately ordered a counterattack. However, this was not a pursuit of the Western Xia forces. Though they were retreating, it was not a rout. If Wu Jie charged recklessly, the Western Xia rear guard could quickly turn and encircle his forces.

The disparity between the two sides was far too great.

Wu Jie’s counterattack aimed to reclaim the territory occupied by the Western Xia army.

Fuping City was once again under Wu Jie's control. Examining the imperial edict sent by Zhao Huan, stating that reinforcements had already been dispatched, Wu Jie had initially suspected the emperor’s words were mere platitudes. Yet now, it seemed the reinforcements had indeed been sent and had already reached deep within Western Xia territory.

News of Western Xia’s withdrawal soon spread through Bianjing.

The entire nation erupted with excitement. The common people’s hope for the newly enthroned Song emperor swelled. It seemed the Song dynasty was beginning to reverse its prior streak of defeats.

Meanwhile, the protagonist, Zhao Huan, remained relaxed. He was overseeing several weavers crafting a garment. Ever since conceiving the idea of tailoring a uniform for Zhang Yu, his enthusiasm had grown uncontrollably. With time on his hands, he summoned the weavers to begin work.

In truth, Zhao Huan had designed the uniform based on modern military intelligence apparel. Imagining Zhang Yu striding before him in a crisp uniform filled Zhao Huan with pride.

“Your smile betrays some mischief,” Zhang Yu’s soft voice startled Zhao Huan as she appeared beside him.

“Could you please make some noise? You scared me half to death by appearing out of nowhere,” Zhao Huan rolled his eyes, feeling his daydream had been uncovered.

“I always walk this quietly. You were just too absorbed to hear me,” Zhang Yu replied seriously.

Zhao Huan dropped the topic and presented the finished uniform to Zhang Yu. “I personally designed this uniform for you. Try it on and see if it fits.”

Zhang Yu stared at the garment but did not take it.

Ignoring her hesitation, Zhao Huan pressed the outfit into her hands. “As my shadow guard, how can you be without your own uniform? Go on, put it on.”

After a moment’s hesitation, Zhang Yu accepted the strange-looking apparel and vanished from Zhao Huan’s sight.

A long time passed before, at Zhao Huan’s persistent summons, Zhang Yu awkwardly reappeared.

“This clothes feels very strange. I’m not used to wearing it,” Zhang Yu said, eyeing her reflection with unease.

“No worries. You’ll get used to it after a couple of days,” Zhao Huan circled around her, stroking his chin thoughtfully. “You are truly a model for clothes—everything looks good on you.”

Zhang Yu was still unsettled and asked again, “Do I have to wear this uniform from now on?”

Zhao Huan nodded. “Don’t you think this outfit better showcases your perfect figure? The old dress never revealed your long legs, and... did you not wear the undergarment I designed for you?”

“What undergarment?” Zhang Yu asked, puzzled.

“The two breastplates, like little shields. They’re meant to be worn right here,” Zhao Huan said, gesturing at his chest.

“Pervert! I’m not wearing such things,” Zhang Yu’s cheeks flushed as she coquettishly retorted.

“See, you don’t understand medical science. You know, that area shouldn’t be wrapped in cloth all the time—it impedes blood circulation and hinders development. You should wear something like what I designed to support them...” Zhao Huan rambled on, lecturing about medical knowledge.

Zhang Yu swiftly slipped away. At that moment, Zhao Huan suddenly regretted agreeing to have her as his personal guard.

“Hey, don’t go! I haven’t finished talking yet,” Zhao Huan called out as Zhang Yu disappeared again, but she paid no heed.

Pinching his chin, Zhao Huan pondered. Besides opening the Drunken Immortal Tavern, he had conceived another way to earn money. Being emperor was easy, but he needed to find ways to fund his palace renovations. Zhu Shengfei, that old miser, would never loosen the purse strings, so Zhao Huan resolved to find alternative means.

He decided to consult Xi Ying about this plan.

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